Sexualization and Exploitation of Female Athletes in the Media

By Tyler Kohl

In Today’s society, we have many different standards that put pressure on the way that we as people,

present ourselves. One of the main struggles is

deciphering what it means to be male or female.

The professional sports industry specifically strains

gender differences. The gender differences present

an overwhelming challenge for women to be accepted in a male dominant business.

The way that women are sexualized and exploited to

the public has almost become the social norm in

the way that society views a woman’s role within the

sports industry.

(http://mkopas.net/courses/soc287/2012/08/06/gender-differences-sports-sexualizing-women/)

Why is it that male athletes are

portrayed as powerful, successful,

and strong in the media?

..and women are looked at as fragile, vulnerable,

sexual objects?

“No matter the reason, a female athlete’s willingness to flaunt her

beauty is a marketer’s dream. After all, sports – including women’s sports – are an industry run by and geared

toward men.”

– Alyssa Roenigk, ESPN The Magazine

“By publicizing glorified, seemingly unattainable standards of women,

the media’s sexualization of female athletes can actually

diminish the self-esteem of female viewers at large”

– Emily Liang, The Media’s Sexualization of Female Athletes: A bad call for the Modern Game

Not to mention the very noticeable difference

between male and female uniforms…

San Diego Seduction

San Diego Chargers

Tamira Paszek Roger Federer

USA Women’s Volleyball Team

USA Men’s Volleyball Team

USA Men’s Sand Volleyball

USA Women’s Sand Volleyball

“When it comes to this issue of female athletes, I’m always surprised that others are

surprised that the percentage of media coverage for them is so low. I live that stat

every day in my work and take it for granted, but it’s not common

knowledge. I’ve also been struck by how aware female athletes and coaches are to this

issue; they feel ignored, slighted, and less important.” – Dr. Mary Jane De Souza, Ph.D.

Society must change the way we look at female athletes,

and give them the equal attention that they deserve.

Bibliography

"2014 Female Athlete Triad Consensus Statement on Guidelines for Treatment and Return to Play." NCAA Public Home Page. N.p., n.d.

Web. 04 Dec. 2014.

"Gender Roles in Sports Media Coverage." YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web. 04 Dec. 2014.

"Women in Sports Nike Commercials." YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web. 04 Dec. 2014.

"Body Issue 2012: Carmelita Jeter." YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web. 04 Dec. 2014.

"Multimedia." Media Coverage & Female Athletes: Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Dec. 2014.

Bibliography (Cont.)

"SI Swimsuit Covers Through the Years." SI.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Dec. 2014

"Empowering Women in Sports - Women Athletes in the Media - Feminist Majority Foundation." Empowering Women in Sports - Women Athletes in the Media - Feminist Majority Foundation. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Dec. 2014.

"How the Media Portrays Female Athletes." How the Media Portrays Female Athletes. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Dec. 2014.